Heat Pump Chillers: Not Just for Cooling
Heat pump chillers are still widely misunderstood. Many people associate chillers exclusively with cooling applications, yet modern heat pump chillers are designed to provide both heating and cooling from the same unit. In temporary and planned HVAC applications, this dual capability makes heat pump chillers one of the most efficient, flexible, and future-ready solutions available.
At Ideal Heat Solutions, we deploy heat pump chillers in heating mode across commercial, industrial, and critical environments, delivering reliable low-temperature heating that rivals — and in many cases outperforms — traditional boiler systems.
This blog explains how heat pump chillers work for heating, how they compare to boilers, and why pairing them with AHUs creates a highly efficient temporary HVAC solution.
How Heat Pump Chillers Provide Heating
A heat pump chiller operates by transferring heat rather than generating it through combustion. In heating mode, the system extracts low-grade heat from the ambient air and upgrades it to a usable temperature via a refrigeration cycle.
Instead of burning gas or oil, the system uses electrical energy to move heat. For every unit of electricity consumed, multiple units of heat energy are delivered — measured as the Coefficient of Performance (COP).
In practical terms, a heat pump chiller can achieve:
- COPs of 3.0–4.0+ in suitable conditions
- 300–400% efficiency compared to combustion systems
- Stable heating output suitable for space heating and air handling systems
This makes heat pump chillers highly effective for temporary heating, particularly where lower flow temperatures are acceptable.
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Are Heat Pump Chillers as Efficient as Boilers?
When comparing heat pump chillers to traditional boilers, it’s important to look beyond nameplate output and focus on energy efficiency and carbon impact.
A modern gas boiler typically operates at 90–95% efficiency at best. A heat pump chiller, by contrast, can deliver three to four times the energy it consumes.
Key efficiency comparisons:
- Boilers: 1 kWh in ≈ 0.9 kWh heat out
- Heat pump chillers: 1 kWh in ≈ 3–4 kWh heat out
While heat pump systems generally operate at lower flow temperatures than boilers, they are perfectly suited to:
- AHU heating coils
- Fan coil units
- Low-temperature space heating
- Temporary HVAC and decarbonisation projects
In many temporary heating scenarios, heat pump chillers are not just comparable to boilers — they are more efficient overall.
The Role of AHUs in Heat Pump Heating Systems
Air Handling Units (AHUs) are a critical component in heat pump heating applications. Rather than distributing heat via radiators or traditional wet systems, heat pump chillers pair exceptionally well with AHUs.
In this configuration:
- The heat pump chiller produces warm water
- The AHU heating coil transfers that heat into the air stream
- Warm, controlled air is distributed throughout the building
This approach provides:
- Even temperature distribution
- Fast response times
- Excellent control over airflow and temperature
- Compatibility with lower flow temperatures
For temporary HVAC installations, AHUs allow heat pump chillers to deliver effective heating without the limitations of legacy radiator systems.
Temporary Heating with Heat Pump Chillers
Heat pump chillers are increasingly used for temporary heating during:
- Plant room refurbishments
- Boiler replacements
- Decarbonisation projects
- Seasonal heating demand
- Critical environment support
Because the same unit can provide both heating and cooling, heat pump chillers reduce the need for multiple temporary systems. This simplifies logistics, reduces fuel storage requirements, and lowers overall emissions.
At Ideal Heat Solutions, we supply heat pump chillers with:
- Integrated buffer tanks
- AHUs and ducting
- Pumps and controls
- Trane Connect remote monitoring
This allows temporary heating systems to operate reliably with full performance visibility.
Heat Pump Chillers for Decarbonisation & Net Zero Targets
As organisations work toward net zero targets, temporary heating solutions must align with long-term sustainability goals.
Heat pump chillers support decarbonisation by:
- Eliminating on-site combustion
- Reducing direct emissions
- Enabling electrified heating strategies
- Supporting future low-carbon infrastructure
For local authorities, NHS estates, universities, and commercial operators, heat pump chillers offer a compliant, future-ready solution for both planned works and contingency scenarios.
Control, Monitoring & Reliability
Modern heat pump chiller installations benefit from advanced monitoring and control. At Ideal Heat Solutions, systems can be integrated with Trane Connect for remote performance oversight.
This enables:
- Real-time temperature monitoring
- Performance optimisation
- Fault detection and alerts
- Reduced on-site intervention
Remote monitoring is especially valuable in temporary heating scenarios where uptime and reliability are critical.
Applications Across Sectors
Heat pump chillers in heating mode are suitable for:
- Data centres and critical environments
- Hospitals and healthcare facilities
- Commercial offices and public buildings
- Universities and campuses
- Industrial and manufacturing sites
When paired with AHUs, they provide controlled, efficient heating without reliance on fossil fuels.
Compliance & Best Practice
All temporary heat pump chiller systems supplied by Ideal Heat Solutions are designed and installed in line with UK health, safety, and environmental standards.
This includes:
- Safe electrical installations
- Correct system sizing and flow temperatures
- Compliance with pressure systems and F-Gas regulations
- Experienced engineers familiar with complex HVAC environments
Why Choose Ideal Heat Solutions?
Ideal Heat Solutions delivers temporary heat pump chiller hire with a focus on performance, reliability, and compliance.
Our experience spans:
- Heating and cooling applications
- Critical environments
- Temporary and contingency HVAC solutions
- Fully engineered systems with AHUs, pumps, and controls
We don’t just supply equipment — we deliver working systems designed around real operational requirements.
Conclusion
Heat pump chillers are no longer just a cooling solution. In heating mode, they offer an efficient, low-emission alternative to traditional boilers, particularly when paired with AHUs.
For temporary heating, planned works, and decarbonisation projects, heat pump chillers deliver flexibility, efficiency, and future-proof performance from a single system.
Call our team today or complete our online enquiry form to discuss heat pump chiller hire for heating and cooling applications.
FAQs
Can heat pump chillers really replace boilers?
Yes, in many applications heat pump chillers can provide equivalent or superior efficiency, particularly for air-based heating systems.
Do heat pump chillers work in winter?
Modern units are designed to operate effectively in low ambient temperatures.
Are AHUs required?
AHUs are recommended for optimal performance but systems can be configured to suit site conditions.
Can one system provide heating and cooling?
Yes — heat pump chillers are reversible and can switch between modes.
Are heat pump chillers suitable for temporary hire?
Absolutely. They are widely used for temporary and contingency HVAC solutions.
Do you provide monitoring?
Yes — systems can be monitored remotely via Trane Connect.
To learn more or book a free site survey, contact Ideal Heat Solutions today.
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